Apparatus and method for acquiring panoramic, teleradiographic and optionally volumetric CBCT radiographies

Abstract

Apparatus and method for acquiring panoramic, teleradiographic and optionally CBCT volumetric dental radiographies, comprising a support holding a rotary arm which in its turn supports at one end a first X-ray source and at the other end an X-ray detector at a suitable distance for acquiring panoramic and optionally CBCT volumetric images. Apparatus comprises only one patient positioning system and a second X-ray source at a distance from detector suitable for acquiring cranial teleradiographies.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus ( 21 ) for acquiring panoramic and teleradiographic radiographies and also capable of acquiring CBCT volumetric dental radiographies, comprising a support holding a rotary arm ( 26 ) which in its turn supports at one end a first X-ray source ( 27 ) and at the other end an X-ray detector ( 28 ) at a suitable distance for acquiring panoramic and/or CBCT volumetric images,
 characterized in that 
 there is only one patient positioning system ( 25 ) , and comprising a second X-ray source ( 207 ) at a distance from the X-ray detector ( 28 ) suitable for acquiring cranial teleradiographies, wherein the X-ray detector ( 28 ) is positioned and configured to be used to acquire at least panoramic and teleradiographic images; 
 wherein the first X-ray source ( 27 ) is configured to be removed from the X-ray path emitted by the second X-ray source; and 
 wherein the second x-ray source ( 207 ) and the X-ray detector ( 28 ) are configured to acquire teleradiographic images. 
 
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising only one X-ray detector ( 28 ). 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the X-ray detector is an area sensor. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the area sensor is used in PAN mode for panoramic acquisitions and in standard mode for teleradiogranhic and CBCT volumetric acquisitions. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the X-ray detector is a linear sensor. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein two X-ray detectors are present: one sensor for acquiring panoramic and teleradiographic images and one sensor for acquiring CBCT volumetric images, both sensors fixed on a mechanism allowing to alternate them. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first X-ray source ( 27 ) is a rotating anode X-ray tube. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second X-ray source is a fixed anode X-ray tube. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more devices chosen from the group consisting of: a device ( 203 ) for moving X-ray detector ( 28 ) , a device ( 204 ) for moving the first X-ray source ( 27 ), a device ( 205 ) for moving C-arm ( 26 ) , such device ( 205 ) having the aim of removing obstacles from the X-ray path between the second X-ray source ( 207 ) and X-ray detector ( 28 ). 
     
     
       10. Method for sequentially performing panoramic and teleradiographic and optionally CBCT volumetric acquisitions, using the device of  claim 1 , comprising the following steps:
 positioning the patient in the only patient positioning device ( 25 ); 
 acquiring panoramic or CBCT volumetric images using the first X-ray source ( 27 ) and the X-ray detector ( 28 ); 
 removing the first X-ray source ( 27 ) from the X-ray path emitted by the second X-ray source ( 27 ); and 
 acquiring teleradiographic images using the second X-ray source ( 207 ) and the X-ray detector ( 28 ). 
 
     
     
       11. Apparatus ( 21 ) for acquiring panoramic, teleradiographic and optionally CBCT volumetric dental radiographies, comprising a support holding a rotary arm ( 26 ) which in its turn supports at one end a first X-ray source ( 27 ) and at the other end an X-ray detector ( 28 ) at a suitable distance for acquiring panoramic and optionally CBCT volumetric images,
 characterized in that 
 there is only one patient positioning system ( 25 ) , and comprising a second X-ray source ( 207 ) at a distance from the X-ray detector suitable for acquiring cranial teleradiographies, wherein the patient positioning system ( 25 ) is configured such that the patient remains in a single position when panoramic, teleradiographic and optionally CBCT volumetric images are acquired; 
 wherein the X-ray detector ( 28 ) is positioned and configured to be used to acquire at least panoramic and teleradiographic images; 
 wherein the first X-ray source ( 27 ) is configured to be removed from the X-ray path emitted by the second X-ray source ( 27 ); and 
 wherein the second X-ray source ( 207 ) and the X-ray detector ( 28 ) are configured to acquire teleradiographic images.